quintessential

adjective

ˌkwin-tə-ˈsen(t)-shəl How to pronounce quintessential (audio)
Definition of quintessentialnext
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated Helen of Troy was supposedly the quintessential beauty of the ancient world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of quintessential Fireworks have been a quintessential part of Fourth of July celebrations across the nation for generations. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 Benjamin Moore, Ewing Blue, CW-585 For those looking for a quintessential porch ceiling color, Benjamin Moore's Ewing Blue is a sure bet. — Elizabeth Sweet, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 Roland Emmerich's alien-invasion flick has endured as a quintessential summer blockbuster. — Maggie Fremont, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026 That includes the thousands of San Francisco residents who will be celebrating the city's rich jazz history, one of America's quintessential musical contributions, at this year's 39th annual Fillmore Jazz Festival. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quintessential
  1. classic
  2. exemplary
  3. perfect
  4. archetypal
  5. definitive
  6. excellent
Adjective
  • Produced again by the classic-rocker whisperer Andrew Watt (Paul McCartney, Elton John, Pearl Jam), the band delivers a clutch of strong songs.
    — Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Nguyen founded Vintage Modern, formerly known as Vintage Broncos, to wrap classic car veneers around the latest vehicle undercarriages.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of classic
Adjective
  • The parents, represented by the law firm Rosen Saba, demand a jury trial, exemplary and punitive damages and civil and statutory penalties.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 9 July 2026
  • No performance nominations, despite Ken Leung and Marisa Abela’s exemplary work.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 July 2026
Definition of exemplary
Adjective
  • In comparison, the Sparks, without an offensive rebound until the end of the third quarter, were forced to make perfect shots, though that was far from the team’s grasp.
    — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • While no missile defense system offers perfect protection, modern layered architectures have significantly improved the ability to detect, track, and intercept increasingly sophisticated threats.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026
Definition of perfect
Adjective
  • Lestat remembers himself like a bit of an archetypal fairytale babe in the woods in the recounting of his human life.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • Just over two miles south of the historic village of Tintagel, Trebarwith is a wild, archetypal north‑coast beach—a mile‑long sweep of golden sand and rocky outcrops visible only at low tide.
    — Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Definition of archetypal
Adjective
  • By consolidating voting control in the hands of the controller, the company guarantees that management is held accountable by a definitive, central authority.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the absence of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s most painful consequences.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of definitive
Adjective
  • While San Francisco’s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Guests can borrow, for no charge, one of four Mate e-bikes for spins around the park or beyond, say to Tanimachi nearby for local neighborhood vibes, including charming izakayas, gyoza shops, and excellent, one-woman restaurants such as Tachiaoi.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of excellent

Browse Nearby Words

quintessences
quintessential
quintet
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Cite this Entry

“Quintessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quintessential. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on quintessential

Nglish: Translation of quintessential for Spanish Speakers

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